Our Process

This page outlines the rigorous editorial process that all of our articles are put through. For any further enquiries contact us by email: york-med-journal@york.ac.uk

Editorial Process 

All articles that are submitted for publication will be edited to some extent by our editorial team in collaboration with the author. By submitting your article, you recognise that it may be partially edited to suit our editorial style guide and standards. 

All abstracts will be blind-selected by the Editorial Leads. They will then nominate a Deputy Editor who will work with the abstract author to develop their manuscript. Once articles are completed, a different Deputy Editor will then copy-read the manuscript before it is published. 

At any point throughout the process, even after abstracts have initially been accepted, the Board reserves the right to refuse to publish an author’s article. All articles must contain original content; we do not publish material that has been submitted for marking with the University of York or any other higher education institutions. Likewise, we do not republish material that has previously been published elsewhere. Articles are considered for publication on the assumption that they are not being simultaneously considered by another journal.

Author Expectations 

YMJ prioritises a professional and generative working environment, and authors are expected to uphold these standards. 

Throughout the writing/editing process, authors should meet with their assigned Deputy Editor no less than once a fortnight. Between these meetings, authors are expected to develop their manuscripts in accordance with editorial suggestions and personal interests. Author-Editor meetings may be organised at the discretion of both parties. Authors must submit the most recent, working version of their manuscript to their Deputy Editor no less than 24 hours before a meeting. The progress of an author’s manuscript will be tracked in their Deputy Editor’s ‘Meeting Log’. This document allows for transparency and accountability throughout the editing process. 

In Author-Editor meetings, both parties are expected to work collaboratively to develop a manuscript. Whilst Deputy Editors will strive to preserve authorial preference, authors must recognise that manuscripts must be developed in line with YMJ’s editorial standards. Authors are expected to maintain a professional and respectful working relationship with their Deputy Editors. 

Deputy Editor Expectations 

Deputy Editors must edit manuscripts thoroughly, with the aim of developing a full article suitable for publication. At the close of every meeting, Deputy Editors are expected to fill out the ‘Deputy Editor Meeting Log’. They must encourage an academically generative environment, and maintain professionalism and respect whilst collaborating with authors.

Conduct Concerns 

Any conduct concerns throughout the editorial process, regarding any member of YMJ’s team, should be raised with our Ethics and Compliance Officer: Madeleine McKeon: pcl525@york.ac.uk.